Paintbrush storage and carrying system

ABSTRACT

A storage and carrying system in which paint brushes that are wet from recent cleaning are held in such a manner as to facilitate drying, and can be stored and moved from place to place while so disposed. The brushes are placed in holsters which are inserted into openings in the top panel of a case. The holsters have drain holes which allow liquid held in the bristle portions of the brushes to drip into the interior of the case. A drawer having a reservoir is positioned in the interior of the case beneath the holsters to collect the liquid dripping from the holsters.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 USC 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/979,219, filed Oct. 11, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates a storage and carrying system in which paint brushes that are wet from recent cleaning are held in such a manner as to facilitate drying, and can be stored and moved from place to place while so disposed.

SUMMARY

It is well known that paint brushes must be cleaned after every use in order to maintain them in a serviceable condition. To effectively clean brushes with paint in their bristles, they must be treated with an appropriate cleaning fluid that acts as a paint solvent. In the invention disclosed herein, each freshly cleaned brush is placed in a shaped holster which is supported in a storage and carrying case in such a manner as to allow the brushes to drip dry while maintaining the desired shape of the bristles. The brushes can be stored in the case in serviceable condition ready for immediate re-use. Moreover, the brushes can be moved to another location in the same case in which they are being allowed to dry.

In particular, this application discloses a storage and carrying system for a paint brush having a handle portion and a bristle portion. The system comprises a case having a top panel, a bottom panel, first and second side panels, a back panel, and a front panel, which together define a case interior. A holster receiving opening is located in the top panel in communication with the case interior. A paint brush holster insertable in the holster receiving opening has a chamber for holding the bristle portion of a paint brush and an open top for receiving the bristle portion. The holster also has outwardly extending flange means along the periphery of the open top. The flange means is engageable with the top panel for supporting the holster on the top panel when the holster is inserted into the holster receiving opening. The holster further has a drain opening for allowing liquid to drain from the holster into the case interior. A liquid outlet is provided in the case for allowing liquid in the case interior to be removed therefrom. A carrying handle is attached to the case. Liquid can drain from the bristle portion of the paint brush downwardly through the drain opening of the holster into the case interior, and the case, the holsters and the paint brushes can be carried from place to place by means of the handle.

This application also discloses a storage and carrying system for a plurality of paint brushes, each having a handle and a bristle portion. The system comprises a case having a top panel, a bottom panel, first and second side panels, a back panel, and a front panel, which together define a substantially rectangular case interior. A plurality of paint brush holster receiving openings are located in the top panel in communication with the case interior. The system further comprises a plurality of holsters for holding a plurality of paint brushes, each holster being insertable in a paint brush holster receiving opening and having a holster chamber with an open top for receiving the bristle portion of a paint brush. Each holster further comprises an outwardly extending flange surrounding the open top and engageable with the top panel for supporting the holster on the top panel when the holster is inserted into a holster receiving opening. A plurality of drain openings are provided in the holster for allowing liquid to drain from the holster into the case interior. An elongated slot is located in the front panel of the case. Slideably mounted in the slot is a liquid collection tray having upstanding walls defining a reservoir. The liquid collection tray is movable from a first position within the case interior beneath the paint brush holster receiving openings and a second position substantially outside the case wherein liquid collected therein can be removed from the case interior. A handle is attached to the end panels of the case for carrying the case. Thus, liquid can drain from the bristle portions of the paint brushes downwardly through the drain openings in the holsters and into said interior of the case, and the case, the holsters and the paint brushes can be carried from place to place by means of the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in conjunction with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage and carrying case of the invention with a corner broken away.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the paint brush holster used in this invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the holster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view, partially in section along line 5-5, of the holster of FIG. 3 with a paint brush positioned therein.

FIG. 6 is a front view, partially in section, of a variation of the holster of FIG. 3, in which the bottom surface is angled, with a paint brush positioned therein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the paint brush holster in which the side panels define a V-shaped holster compartment.

FIG. 8 is an end view, partially in section along line 8-8, of the holster of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a variation of the holster of FIG. 7 in which the bottom edge is angled.

FIG. 10 is a side view, partially in section, of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements.

DESCRIPTION

The paint brush storage and carrying system disclosed herein comprises a storage and carrying case, paint brush holsters for supporting the paint brushes in the case, and a liquid collection tray mounted inside the case beneath the holsters to collect liquid dripping from the paint brushes in the holsters. Paint brushes are available with bristles arrayed in a multitude of cross-sections, shapes and sizes, including rectangular and circular. Sizes typically range from ¼ to 1 inch in width and 1 to 4 inches in length for rectangular arrays, and ½ to 1 inch in diameter for circular arrays. Bristle lengths can be in the range of 1 to 4 inches, and the array can be straight or tapered at its end. It is within the scope of the inventive system disclosed herein to accommodate such variables, and the embodiments described below are not to be considered as limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the paint brush storage and carrying case 1 of this system comprises a top panel 2, a bottom panel 3, a front panel 4, first and second side panels 5 and 6, and a back panel 7. Case 1 can be made of any suitable material, such as wood, metal or plastic. Case 1 is shown and described here as being of rectangular shape, however, the invention is not limited to such a configuration. Top panel 2 is provided with a plurality of spaced holster receiving openings 8, which are shown as being rectangular, but do not need to be so limited. A pivotable carrying handle 10 is installed on side panels 4 and 5 by means of screws 11. An elongated slot 13 is present in front panel 4, and a fluid collection tray 14 with a handle 15 is slidably mounted therein. Tray 14 can rest on the inside of bottom 3, or it can be mounted on brackets attached to the inside of panels 4 and 5. Tray 14 has upstanding sides 16 and is so sized as to lie beneath all of the openings 13. The capacity of tray 14 is sufficient to contain liquid dripping from the holsters.

Holster receiving openings 8 are so sized and shaped as to accommodate removable paint brush holsters 17, in which the paint brushes are positioned. For example, rectangular as well as circular openings and holsters can be provided to accommodate brushes having various bristle arrays.

A first embodiment of paint brush holster 17 is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. In this embodiment, holster 17 comprises side walls 18, 19, 20 and 21, and a bottom wall 22, which define a rectangular holster chamber. Encircling the upper edges of side walls 18, 19, 20 and 21 is an outwardly extending flange 23, which seats on the upper surface of top panel 2 to suspend holster 17 in holster receiving openings 8. As best shown in FIG. 4, bottom wall 22 is provided with a plurality of drain holes 24. Holsters 17 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal or clear plastic. The overall configuration of holsters 17 is such as to receive and support a paint brush 26 with its handle 27 oriented upwardly and its bristle portion 28 inside the holster. Thus, with holster 17 installed in a holster receiving opening 8 in top panel 6, gravity will cause any liquid present in bristle portion 28 to drain downwardly out of holster 17 through drain holes 24 and drip into fluid collection tray 14.

The brushes are supported in an upright position in holsters 17 by bristle portion 28, which rests upon the bottom in each holster 17. Advantageously, each holster 17 will be so specifically sized and shaped as to closely envelop the bristle portion 28 of a brush 26. For example, it would be preferred to place a bristle portion that is 3 inches wide and terminates in an edge that is perpendicular to the direction of the bristles in a holster that is slightly wider than 3 inches and has a flat bottom wall. Likewise, a bristle portion that terminates in an inclined edge would best be placed in a holster having an inclined bottom wall. However, bristle portion 28 need not be an exact fit in a holster 17, so long as the fit is such that the bristle portions do not become unduly deformed. FIG. 6 shows a holster that will accommodate a bristle portion 28 having a tapered edge.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the holster having inclined side walls 30 and 31 attached to V-shaped end walls 32 and 33, which creates a V-shaped holster chamber terminating in an edge 34 perpendicular to the direction of the bristles. There is no bottom wall in this holster, and drain holes 36 are located in the lowermost portions of one or both of converging side walls 30 and 31. As was the case with the other illustrated embodiment of the holster, edge 32 also can be inclined, as in FIG. 9.

In the holsters illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, the walls are integrally attached to one another, such as by one piece molding, or by attaching separate components together by fusion or gluing. However, other methods of forming the holsters are within the scope of this invention. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein holster 17 comprises a first holster portion 43 and a second holster portion 44, which are attached together to form a completed holster chamber. Holster portions 43 and 44 each are provided with side flanges 45, into which are formed the cooperating elements of a snap fastening system. As shown in FIG. 10, male fastener buttons 47 are located on portion 43 and interlocking female buttons 48 are located on portion 44. Portions 43 and 44 can be snapped together prior to inserting a paint brush into the holster chamber thus created, or they can be snapped together around a paint brush. In the latter case, proper selection of the size and configuration of portions 43 and 44 can result in the creation of a holster chamber that tightly confines the bristle portion of the paint brush, thereby insuring that the bristle portion cannot be deformed. Holster portions 43 and 44 also can be joined at a fold line and then folded into position and attached together with the same snap fastener arrangement as was described with regard to FIGS. 10 and 11. Other types of fasteners and fastening systems also can be used.

The partially cut away side view of the inventive device shown in FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the system. A paint brush 26 having handle 27 and bristle portion 28 is cleaned with liquid. It then is placed in a suitably sized and shaped holster 17. At this point holster 17 may already be installed in a holster receiving opening 8 in top panel 6 or, alternatively, it can be so installed after paint brush 26 has been placed in a holster 17. Once installed in case 1, any liquid that remains captured in the bristle portion drains through holes 36 and then as droplets 40 fall into collection tray 14. The paint brushes can be stored in case 1 until needed again, or can be carried to another site while situated in the case. At some point collection tray 14 can be removed from case 1 and the collected liquid discarded. Also, a holster 17 with paint brush 26 therein can be removed from case 1 and stored separately, with holster 17 protecting paint brush 26 from damage.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various modifications and arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A storage and carrying system for a paint brush having a handle and a bristle portion, comprising: a case comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, first and second side panels, a back panel, and a front panel, which together define a case interior; a paint brush holster receiving opening in said top panel and communicating with said case interior; a holster insertable into said paint brush holster receiving opening and comprising a holster chamber for holding said bristle portion of said paint brush and having an open top for introducing said bristle portion into said chamber, outwardly extending flange means along the periphery of said open top and engageable with said top panel for supporting said holster on said top panel when said holster is inserted into said holster receiving opening, and a drain opening for allowing liquid to drain from said holster chamber into said case interior, a liquid outlet in said case for allowing liquid in said case interior to be removed therefrom, and a handle attached to said case for carrying said case; whereby liquid can drain from said bristle portion of said paint brush downwardly through said drain opening of said holster into said interior of said case, and said case, said holsters and said paint brushes can be carried from place to place by means of said handle.
 2. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of said holsters and wherein said top panel has a plurality of holster receiving openings.
 3. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 wherein said liquid outlet in said case comprises a slot in said front panel and a tray having upstanding walls slideably mounted in said slot, said tray being movable from a first position in said case interior beneath said holster and a second position wherein liquid collected therein can be removed from said case interior.
 4. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 wherein said holster chamber is defined by opposed parallel side walls and opposed parallel end walls attached to a bottom wall which is perpendicular to said side walls and said end walls, and wherein said drain opening is in said bottom.
 5. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 wherein said holster chamber is defined by opposed parallel side walls and opposed parallel end walls attached to a bottom wall which is inclined with respect to said side walls, and wherein said drain opening is in said bottom wall.
 6. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 wherein said holster chamber is defined by substantially V-shaped parallel end walls and opposed inclined first and second side walls attached to said end walls and terminating in an edge which is perpendicular to said side walls, and wherein said drain opening is in said first side wall.
 7. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 wherein said holster chamber is defined by substantially V-shaped parallel end walls and opposed first and second inclined side walls attached to said end walls and terminating in an edge which is tapered with respect to said side walls, and wherein said drain opening is in said first side wall.
 8. The storage and carrying system of claim 1 wherein said holster comprises separate first and second portions which are attached together by fastening means to form said holster chamber.
 9. The storage and handling system of claim 8 wherein said bristle portion of said paint brush is of a particular size and shape and said holster chamber is so sized and shaped as to closely envelop said bristle portion when said first and second portions are attached together.
 10. A storage and carrying system for a plurality of paint brushes each having a handle and a bristle portion, comprising: a case comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, first and second side panels, a back panel, and a front panel, which together define a substantially rectangular case interior; a plurality of paint brush holster receiving openings in said top panel and communicating with said case interior; a plurality of holsters for holding a plurality of paint brushes, each holster of said plurality of holsters being insertable into said paint brush holster receiving openings and comprising a holster chamber having an open top for introducing said bristle portion of said paint brush into said holster chamber, each said holster further comprising outwardly extending flange means surrounding said open top and engageable with said top panel for supporting said holster on said top panel when said holster is inserted into said holster receiving openings, and a plurality of drain openings for allowing liquid to drain from said holster chamber into said case interior, an elongated slot in said front panel, a liquid collection tray having upstanding walls defining a reservoir slideably mounted in said elongated slot, said liquid collection tray being movable from a first position within said case interior beneath said paint brush holster receiving openings and a second position substantially outside said case wherein liquid collected therein can be removed from said case interior, and a handle attached to said end panels of said case for carrying said case; whereby liquid can drain from said bristle portions of said paint brushes downwardly through said drain openings in each of said holster chambers and into said case interior, and said case, said holsters and said paint brushes can be carried from place to place by means of said handle.
 11. The storage and carrying system of claim 10 wherein said holster receiving openings are rectangular, wherein each said holster chamber is rectangular at said top opening and is defined by opposed parallel side walls and opposed parallel end walls attached to a bottom wall that is perpendicular to said side walls and said end walls, and wherein said drain holes are in said bottom wall.
 12. The storage and carrying system of claim 10 wherein said holster receiving openings are rectangular, wherein each said holster chamber is rectangular at said top opening and is defined by opposed parallel side walls and opposed parallel end walls attached to a bottom wall that is inclined with respect to said side walls and said end walls, and wherein said drain holes are in said bottom wall.
 13. The storage and carrying system of claim 10 wherein said holster receiving openings are rectangular, wherein each said chamber is rectangular at said top opening and is defined by opposed parallel V-shaped end walls and an opposed pair of inwardly inclined side walls which form a V-shaped chamber terminating in an edge which is perpendicular to said V-shaped side walls, and wherein said drain holes are in at least one of said inclined side walls.
 14. The storage and carrying system of claim 10 wherein said holster receiving openings are rectangular, wherein each said holster is rectangular at said top opening and is defined by opposed parallel V-shaped end walls and an opposed pair of inwardly inclined side walls which form a V-shaped chamber terminating in an edge which is tapered with respect to said V-shaped side walls, and wherein said drain holes are in at least one of said inclined side walls.
 15. The storage and carrying system of claim 10 wherein said holster comprises separate first and second portions which are attached together by fastening means to form said holster chamber.
 16. The storage and handling system of claim 15 wherein said bristle portion of said paint brush is of a particular size and shape and said holster chamber is so sized and shaped as to closely envelop said bristle portion when said first and second portions are attached together. 